The Pledge by Helen Mittermeyer

church by conceiving a child carried far lessweight with him than that she was Welsh and came from a powerful family that had been inimical to his clan. It’d rubbed him
     raw that he’d had no choice but to obey the command or lose all.
    Now he cursed the stupidity that had kept him from finding out more about his intended. Either she was the greatest daughter
     of Janus, the god of acting, or she had a genuine beguiling sweetness to her. Under that he sensed a tensile strength.
    The threesome took seats and began to sample the myriad dishes rushed for their inspection.
    More than one approached the new Lady MacKay. Most were shy, wary, uncertain.
    It touched a core in Hugh when she seemed to exert the most effort with those filled with trepidation at meeting her.
    “What think you, Hugh? Did the council choose well?”
    Hugh nodded, loath to express his inmost feelings to anyone, and certainly not Edward Baliol. “She has a regal way about her.”
    Edward laughed. “God knows she should. Most would tell you she’s a direct descendant of Boudicca. That, I’m not sure I credit.
     She is related to one of the oldest names in Wales, and she comes by her royalty honestly.”
    Hugh smiled. “Whatever her blood, I think Morrigan would be royal.” Hugh was looking at his wife. He didn’tsee the surprise that crossed the king’s features before they were swiftly schooled to blandness.
    “Then I think all the time it took to fashion this treaty was worth it,” Edward ventured.
    Hugh’s head whipped his way, his smile touched with vinegar. “Do you? That I was kept waiting for too many turns of the moon
     mightn’t have bothered you, your grace. It pricked at me mightily.”
    Edward crooked a brow, then sipped ale from his tankard. “I cannot be displeased at the outcome. Nor can you.”
    Hugh didn’t answer. His bile was rising as he recalled the long days that had brought him to this one.
    It’d taken almost a full turn of the sun to mortar the compact to everyone’s satisfaction. In those long weeks since the settlement
     he’d been in constant company of the king. What he’d wanted was to see to his people who’d been sorely pressed and depleted
     by the many conflicts engaged in by the clan. He’d taken no chance that something could go amiss, that all that belonged to
     Clan MacKay wouldn’t be returned to it. So he’d accompanied Edward everywhere, bartering any way and with anyone to reclaim
     his title and holdings.
    He’d given little thought to the bride, considering her a necessary factor to the negotiations, a pertinent anchor to his
     life in order to provide for his clan. Well worth the risk of vow taking to ensure the future for himself and fellow MacKays.
     He’d been a fool not to seek her out.
    He watched her magic touch with his people. The built-in suspicion of all MacKays for outsiders, after years of being proscribed,
     melted in the gentle onslaught of his spouse. Her very natural charm wooed and won all those with whom she conversed. It pleased
     him to see her unbend with his people.
    The king nudged him, gaining his attention. “Will you join us, Hugh? Some of the lords are gathering their lads for the games.
     Will you not toss the caber to impress your bride?”
    Hugh’s chuckle was dry. “Let the others test their mettle. I’ll be along to watch.”
    Edward’s glance skated between the Earl of MacKay and his lady. “You never cease surprising me, my lord earl.”
    “ ’Tis my fondest hope,” Hugh retorted.
    Edward hesitated. “You do not ask for her brothers or cousins or about their absence at the nuptials.”
    “I assumed you would know and inform me. I have not missed them.”
    Edward’s lips lifted. “I was asked to represent the family since all were about on the business of their families.”
    “I’m sure,” Hugh said, irony in his tone.
    Edward nodded. “I thought the same, but my informants have told me they were indeed tending to their businesses that